Peter Christian Hersleb Kjerschow Michelsen, better known as Christian Michelsen, was a Norwegian shipping magnate and statesman. He was the first prime minister of independent Norway and Norway's 9th prime minister from 1905 to 1907. Michelsen is most known for his central role in the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905, and was one of Norway's most influential politicians of his time.
Christian Michelsen by the early 20th century
Memorial to Christian Michelsen. Bergen, Norway
Michelsen greets King Haakon and prince Olav as they arrive in Norway for the first time in 1905
Gamlehaugen, Michelsen's estate outside of Bergen
Norway, formally the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of Norway. Bouvet Island, located in the Subantarctic, is a dependency; Norway also claims the Antarctic territories of Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land. The capital and largest city in Norway is Oslo.
Opening of Ohthere's Old English account, translated: "Ohthere told his lord Ælfrede king that he lived northmost of all Norwegians…"
The Oseberg ship at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo
Viking swords found in Norway, preserved at the Bergen Museum
The Gjermundbu helmet found in Buskerud is the only known reconstructable Viking Age helmet.